How many times have you had a great idea for a photo but never quite got round to taking it? Maybe it takes a lot of setting up, maybe it depends on the weather, maybe you are waiting for the right piece of equipment to come in to your life that will make it possible.

To make sure that one day you do eventually get that shot – why not make a photo bucket list; this list of ideas could end up being the greatest photos in your collection!

How To Make A Photo Bucket List

Get inspiredLook at 365 project tags and popular page to get some inspiration – there are heaps of amazing photos that have been taken as part of a project that cover just about every possible idea out there. Whether it is a technique, angle or subject, add inspirational image ideas to your list. You could also visit some galleries or look through photo books at works of well known photographers such as Annie Leibovitz and Jeff Wall.

Use your imaginationLet your imagination run wild – if you had all the camera equipment money could buy, could go anywhere, visit anyone, see and do anything… what shots would you want to take?

Categorize!Categorization is important– this will help you work out what you could do to finally get that shot, and why it is you want it too. Whether it is mastering a new skill, getting your hands on the right gear, putting yourself in the right place at the right time or just pot luck, dividing your bucket list up will help to focus your efforts.

To get you started I thought I would share some of my bucket list with you below, complete with type of shot, what it would be and why I want to take it.

But we want to know what is on your photo bucket list!

Share your ideas, thoughts and if you have already been working on one – share your accomplishments too!

My Bucket List

The ultimate selfie: In the bath, but with the focus on the reflection on the flat water - because I have had this idea in my head since I was a child.

An indulgent staged photo: Mad hatter tea party in a windy field – because in my mind’s eye it would look amazing and I love the idea of going to all that effort just to get a photo.

A fantasy celebrity shot: Johnny Depp, Bill Baily, Samuel L Jackson and Professor Brian Cox all sat round nattering and enjoying a cuppa on a sofa – because it would just look awesome and is completely unlikely to happen!

The one that got away: The reflection of a train track captured perfectly in someone’s eye – because I got so close to getting the photo exactly how I wanted before the light faded, the train went the other way and the moment was gone.

The one that takes courage: A candid portrait of a homeless stranger – because I have not yet stepped outside my comfort zone and made it happen.

on my bucket list... a beautiful and dramatic "fall road" shot.
those pictures where the small dirt road is lined with beautiful trees and their leaves are yellow and red: those are my inspiration! I am not sure where I will go next fall, but im hoping that i can get the shot in my head.

However, I did cross "shoot at Estes Park" off of my bucket list after this last weekend! :D

"Light painting" has been on my list for two years now. I really need to do it before this year is over, too.
I was really proud, when I crossed off my first "duplicated me" portrait off the list way back last year but still haven't done a multiple duplicate. Hmm... now I live in a bigger appartment, there might be a way ;).

One for my bucket list...
I used to teach art & design and have often thought about taking a photo and making images out of it in the style of several different artists. Maybe one cold, miserable week in the UK winter will be the time to get stuck into that.

I've taken pictures of castles in Europe and many of the national parks. I would like photos of all 50 states, so I've got to visit some more states (only been to 38). Right now I'm working on getting fall pictures of New England and some lighthouse shots.

A picture of a male mallard that is perfectly exposed and focused so that SOOC the emerald colors show up as striking as they are in real life, showing all the detail in his face without using the dodge tool.

I want the strawberry dropped into milk splash picture.

A bird perched on a twig and in focus for a change

Light painting

A macro of a bee flying out of a squash blossom

A moon shot worthy of comparison to all the awesome one's I've seen on here

A perfect sunset over the water.

One of those crazy newborn babies in a bowl shots

Something on a black background that shows up black without photo-shopping it

A cute close-up squirrel picture- They all run, hide, and laugh at me

Last but not least... A picture of an older person somehow interacting with their younger self... Or maybe mother, daughter, granddaughter all sitting on a park bench together and all the same age. I have been mulling this one over for quite a while

The perfect moon shot (just like the early evening some years ago when the moon rose over the water at low tide, the light streamed across the almost still sea and was picked up in the rock pools - no camera on me and wouldn't have know how to try to capture it)

A long exposure by moonlight alone

Star trails

Long exposure by day to capture moving clouds (don't have any filters)